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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Denis de Prunay-le-Gillon, located in the Eure-et-Loir department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, is a religious building dating back to the 13th century. It is distinguished by its Gothic portal, typical of this period, and a carved frame dated the 2nd quarter of the 16th century. This portal, classified as a historic monument since 1920, illustrates pure Gothic architecture, while the entire church was inscribed in 2010 for its overall heritage value.

The frame, remarkable by its chevrons forming firmes and carved punches, was commissioned between 1541 and 1547 by Louis de Billy, seigneur of Prunay. The latter is at the origin of this realization, which bears witness to the craftsmanship of the period. Major renovations, carried out between 2012 and 2015, restored the structure and roof, with an official inauguration in the presence of Bishop Michel Pansard of Chartres.

The church houses classified furniture, including 13th century baptismal fonts, two 16th century funeral slabs belonging to the lord of Prunay-le-Gillon and his second wife, as well as a wooden eagle-lutrin from the 17th–15th century. Among the notable works is an oil painting by Le Cocq, La Résurrection (1741), formerly part of the altarpiece. The stained glass windows, mostly from the Lorin de Chartres workshops, include pieces dated 1911 and 1934, signed by Charles Lorin.

Affiliated to the parish of Epiphany and the dean of Chartres, the church Saint-Denis embodies both an active place of worship and a preserved artistic and historical heritage. Its history reflects the architectural and social evolutions of the region, from the Middle Ages to the modern era, while emphasizing the role of local lords in its beautification.

The available sources, including the references of the Archaeological Society of Eure-et-Loir and the Merimée bases, confirm its status as a protected monument and its importance in the religious and cultural landscape of the territory. Recent work ensures the sustainability of this heritage, while allowing its openness to the public and its tourist exploitation.

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